Many know well that we only get one set of natural adult or permanent teeth, but not enough of us ask the most critical of dental questions – how can we best protect the longevity of our adult teeth? Instead we commit many offences against our teeth.
We consider our teeth robust enough to handle unwarranted pressures we place on them, by depending on them for other functions they are not naturally designed for. Some of these functions include using our teeth as bottle-opening instruments or for tearing off pieces of tape or plastics or cracking hard nuts. Many of these are considered bad behaviours by dental experts.
We tend to ignore some or many of the steps in a recommended at-home oral hygiene programme, particularly those we find time consuming and laborious, flossing is a case in point.
According to NHS statistics, 59 per cent of adults in the UK brush their teeth twice a day. If we have misaligned teeth, brushing teeth is especially a challenge because of the awkward gaps and corners crooked teeth create. These and many other challenges that put dental health and overall health at risk can be corrected with braces Windsor.
The influence of orthodontic tools over dental longevity
Those interested in the causes of crooked teeth will find that contributing factors include genetics and lifestyle. On the list of inherited genes are the size and shape of the jaw, the look of one’s smile and the spacing of teeth (thus overcrowding issues). If one or both parents required orthodontic treatment, then the likelihood of the child needing orthodontics increases.
Lifestyle factors for orthodontic problems range from poor oral hygiene to prolonged thumb sucking and mouth breathing in childhood.
No matter the cause of orthodontic problems, children, teenagers and adults can benefit from using orthodontic appliances (wires and brackets braces, removable aligners and invisible braces) to give them back control over the health of their mouths. Some of the benefits listed by the NHS are noted below.
By simply straightening teeth with a suitable orthodontic appliance, patients not only protect the longevity of teeth and gums, but also avoid other challenges like speech difficulties, jaw pain, eating and chewing difficulties and the loss of self-confidence.
To ensure an effective clean from regular brushing and flossing, teeth need to be aligned and in their naturally ordained position. This allows toothbrush bristles and floss thread to get in between teeth. Another highly desirable benefit of cleaning teeth effectively is that gum health is also protected and thus patients avoid gum infections and periodontitis which can be costly and involve protracted treatment plans.
Orthodontic appliances correct many common orthodontic issues such as spacing, overbites and underbites, and even bad breath can be treated because teeth are made easier to clean.
Straightening the alignment of teeth also protects teeth from unwarranted wear and tear that make them susceptible to chips and cracks.
Orthodontic treatments are often not just about creating a pretty smile, which is a worthy goal on its own, but protecting dental and overall health too. If interested in reaping the benefits of an orthodontic treatment plan, find more information at a reputable dentist.
